Grapelive Wine of the Day
By Kerry winslow
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2010 Luli Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands.
This rich and vibrant Pinot Noir comes from quality Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards and is made by Jeff Pisoni, winemaker at Pisoni Estate, Lucia Vineyards, Fort Ross and has worked with Peter Michael. Clearly Jeff, son of the famed Gary Pisoni, is clearly an established and accomplished winemaker and this project is another showcase for his talents and the terroir of the Highlands. Luli does a fresh and easy drinking lineup of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all quality and value priced. These wines are outstanding and give insights on the vintage as they are always released early, before the more collectable wines from the area come to market. This lively and fruit packed Pinot is a good sign that 2010 will continue the great vintage streak that the Santa Lucia Highlands has going. For such a young wine it shows good depth, complexity and the acidity with even allow it to age well, even though not many will wait to enjoy this little beauty. The nose is bright with flowers, fresh berries and spice before a tangy cherry and plummy palate that shows blackberry, cranberry and juicy acidity. Watch for flashes of briar, bramble and truffle as you savory the zesty fruit and the subtle sweet toasty oak. I like this vintage even better than the 2009 and think Luli is just going from strength to strength, I suggest picking up this Pinot before the word gets out!
($24 Est) 92 Points, grapelive
Available at www.sfwtc.com ($19.95)
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